USB Sticks: The new must-have gadget?

By William Barker

Most USB sticks have a plastic 'cap' to protect the USB connector

In today's world of Internet fridges, wireless mobile solutions and rapid data transfer, it's often the simple things that make the most sense.

One such innovation is the USB stick, which ranges in size from a computer mouse, to an AA battery, to something as small as a stamp.

The idea behind these USB sticks is simple: simplicity itself.

Powered by the USB port of your computer, these USB sticks simply plug into your PC or Mac and, unless you're running a really old operating system, will usually be detected instantly by the computer as a removable drive

This allows you save and load info just as if it were from your standard hard drive.

Think of them like a floppy disk, only instead of being flat and with a 1.4Mb capacity, they are often cylindrical or oblong, and come with up to 1024Mb (1Gb) of storage space, and this number is expected to rise.

Sony came up with the patented Memory Stick in 1998, an integrated circuit (IC) digital storage media, but users needed a specific device to read the Sony Memory Sticks. USB sticks took the idea to a broader audience, as they can plug into almost any modern PC or Mac - and no software installation needed.

At present, there are many makes and models starting with 32Mb sticks, and 64Mb items as well, but as Ari Raymond from www.USBsticks.com.au said, the 128Mb models are the most popular at the moment.

When asked about consumer interest in USB sticks as a storage solution, Raymond said it was "quite good" since he launched his website in August of 2003. Of the USB stick's uses, Raymond said "Most customers transfer [digital] photos between PCs, and home/office data transferral is popular."

USB sticks are usually imported from Taiwan and a handful of other Asian countries, and one Dick Smith unit we tested recently was recognised instantly on a Windows PC, an Apple PowerMac and even a Linux machine as a removable drive.

USB sticks: stylish, small, very practical plus the ultimate validation - Swiss Army approval

Impressed is an understatement, and these USB sticks make porting important files and drivers from one PC to another a doddle.

Formatting your computer and starting from scratch is easy when you can simply plug in a USB stick and reload important files and downloaded utilities.

USB sticks are becoming increasingly useful as PCs permeate every facet of life. They allow data storage of any kind - photos, word documents, save games, music, video or even useless binary. Anything you want really.

The small, lightweight packages, which usually weigh between 15-30 grams, can fit in your pocket and be taken anywhere for instant file storage/retrieval.

Data transfer speeds depend on the model you buy and whether or not its a USB 2.0 drive. Top spec devices can read and write at speeds up to 15MB/s, while entry-level items will read/write at about 1 or 2MB/s.

If you shop around, you can find USB sticks at good prices, and with many different brands and makes on offer, the competition for your hard-earned will be intense. Ari Raymond from www.USBsticks.com.au sells 128Mb items, with encryption and partition software for $80, and if you go up another level, 256Mb USB sticks fetch about $140 in Australian currency.

Intriguingly, Victorinox has come up with its first Swiss Memory USB. This Swiss Army Knife variant takes advantage of a 64Mb USB flash drive just like a USB stick does, only you get extras such as a stainless steel blade, a pair of scissors, a nail file with screwdriver, a ballpoint pen and a red LED light. An airport security-friendly version comes with the LED light and a ballpoint pen.

Are there any downsides to these USB sticks? Yes. But most can be avoided if you use your common sense. As they are quite small and, at this stage of the game, fairly basic in construction, they can be prone to deterioration, or simply break if the plastic casing is weak.

Unlike mobile phones, you won't want to drop them, or put them through the washing machine (especially if they contain vital information). Many of them also have removable caps sealing the USB connector away from dust or other damage, and these are easily damaged as well. Ari Raymond from USBsticks.com.au offers a full 1-year replacement warranty, and many retailers will guarantee their products' shelf life.

But at the end of the day, the pros far outweigh the cons, and it's only a matter of time before these exceedingly intuitive USB sticks become the newest must-have gadget.

Product: USB stick
Function: Storage device
Capacity: 64 - 1024Mb
O/S: Windows; Linux; OSX
Price: $60 - $500
Where: Electronics/computer retailers
Links: USBsticks.com.au